Planning and Policy Associate

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $60,889.00-$70,022.00. The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community.

The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process. Our goals are to (a) build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety by preventing juveniles from entering the New York City's juvenile justice system, (b) provide therapeutic treatment and services to youth in our custodial care, and (c) help juveniles access the tools they need to leave the justice system for good. We strive to help families and young people by providing supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Juvenile Justice Policy, the Policy Associate will be responsible for the development and tracking of DYFJ policies and operations orders.

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Draft and revise policies and operations orders for DYJF’s two specialized-secure and secure detention facilities, and its contracted provider operated non-secure detention and Close to Home limited-secure and non-secure placement facilities
• Coordinate with DYFJ senior leadership to determine policies priorities and identify key content-area experts for consultation
• Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel and other internal ACS divisions (i.e. OEEO, ELU, etc.) for review of policies as necessary
• Coordinate with NYS OCFS and NYS SCOC for any necessary external review of policies and the ACS Commissioner’s Office for final approval of all policies
• Ensure that all policies meet statutory, regulatory and oversight standards
• Keep abreast of regulatory and legal developments as well as evolving best practices impacting DYFJ policy practice
• Strengthen the focus on policy implementation and practice fidelity, with the goal of maintaining best practices in operations, and creating community and stakeholder engagement to help inform policy development throughout the juvenile justice service continuum.
• Assist the Executive Director of Juvenile Justice Policy in refining and strengthening DYFJ’s policy development process.

Note, candidate must be willing to travel to ACS-operated detention facilities and contracted provider agencies within the five boroughs as needed.

Additional Information

This job opening has been reposted. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

To Apply

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID#633022. No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

The preferred candidate should possess the following:

• Experience with developing and writing policy in a government and/or non-profit settings.
• Knowledge of NYC’s child-welfare and youth justice systems is also required.
• Familiarity with juvenile detention policy and practice strongly preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse, multidisciplinary teams are necessary.
• Organized and efficient, with the ability to work and produce in a fast-paced environment.
• Expertise with office including excel.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.